Hi, TP, I thought you might like to hear some more input. I built a 194 back in the mid 70's, and the combo I used was an unheated Clifford intake manifold, Sig Erson RV cam with specs very similar to the Comp Cams 260H (mine was 256 degrees duration and .480" lift), screw in rocker studs, valve springs that came with the cam, ditto on lifters, stock pushrods and rockers, Clifford long tube headers, glass packs, a high pressure oil pump, and a Holley 350 cfm 2 bbl carb with an Edelbrock air filter. It put out gobs of torque from 2000 to 5000 rpm. I lived in Los Angeles in those days, so if you're in Houston, you shouldn't need manifold heat too much. The car ran very smoothly, no lumpy idle or hesitation at any rpm range. I think the differences between the Offy and the Clifford intakes is pretty minimal in a street application. I had the Clifford, and as near as I could ever tell, the engine started pulling as soon as I put my foot on the gas. However, I keep hearing that the Offy works better from idle on up, and it probably does. I was also running a 2 barrel carb, so that might make a difference too. I guess what I'm saying is that either one works a lot better than stock. Same with the cam. Stock Chevy inline cams DO work best under 3000 rpm, mostly because they don't have anything left after that. Max rpm is 4000, and there isn't much power after about 3500. Come to think of it, there isn't a whole lot of power UNDER 3000, either, at least not compared to an engine with the modifications you're talking about. An aftermarket cam like the 260H will give you a lot more torque than a stocker will, and do it in all of the rpm ranges. Oops, just noticed that you aren't from Houston, you're from Pennsylvania. That could make a difference in the winter. Keep us posted on your project and let us know how it works out for you.
